Schweikert, Kirkpatrick, Hay lead in primaries

by Matthew Benson - Sept. 2, 2008 10:56 PMThe Arizona Republic

Republican David Schweikert appeared to be riding a campaign-spending edge and support among conservative-interest groups to a narrow victory over a crowded 5th Congressional District field during Tuesday's primary election.

The win would place the former state legislator and Maricopa County treasurer on a collision course with Democratic Congressman Harry Mitchell in the Nov. 4 general election. A freshman representative, Mitchell wrestled control of the district away from the GOP in 2006.

Schweikert watched election numbers roll in Tuesday evening along with friends and family at his Scottsdale campaign office. If elected, he said his focus will be Washington spending: "We are devastatingly broke as a country."

Six candidates vied for the GOP nomination in the East Valley district. But the race in recent weeks seemed to revolve around Schweikert and rival Susan Bitter Smith a telecommunications lobbyist, with the two trading bitter television commercials, mail pieces and robo-calls.

In the equally crowded and hard-fought 1st Congressional District, former state legislator Ann Kirkpatrick will carry Democratic hopes to reclaim the seat from Republican hands. Mining lobbyist Sydney Hay held a narrow lead among GOP candidates.

Tuesday's results set up a general-election battle likely to be one of the nation's closest and closest watched. Both Kirkpatrick and Hay hope to replace Rep. Rick Renzi, a Republican facing a 35-count criminal indictment. He has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges but isn't seeking re-election.

The 1st District is one of the nation's largest and poorest. The size of Illinois, the district is anchored by the northern Arizona cities of Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, and swings south to include growing areas of Pinal County such as Casa Grande. Native Americans make up nearly one-quarter of the district.

As with Schweikert, Kirkpatrick benefited from a significant fundraising advantage. She also was the pick of the Democratic establishment, with the national party pledging to invest in the campaign in the general election.

Kirkpatrick topped environmental attorney Howard Shanker and former television anchor Mary Kim Titla, as well as mental-health advocate Jeffrey Brown.

Hay is a known quantity among Arizona conservatives, owing to her longtime lobbying on behalf of conservative causes and her leadership of the Arizona Mining Association. Registered Democrats have a slight edge in the district, but Hay is encouraged by its conservative leanings.

Challengers to Hay included attorney and former State Department diplomat Sandra Livingstone, as well as Tucson Electric Power employee Tom Hansen and retired minister Barry Hall.

A political newbie, Schneider has a tall task ahead of her as she seeks to unseat Republican Rep. Jeff Flake. No Democrat has challenged Flake in six years, and the 6th District, which covers Gilbert, Queen Creek and parts of Chandler, Mesa and Pinal County, is heavily Republican.

The going figures to be equally rough for Joseph Sweeney. The Republican defeated Gene Chewning Tuesday in the 7th Congressional District, but faces long odds against/ incumbent Congressman Raul Grijalva in the heavily Democratic district.